Bobby Gregg and His Friends

Introduction to Bobby Gregg and his Friends

Bobby Gregg (born Robert J. Gregg in 1936 – died in 2014) was an American drummer and a sometime record producer. As a soloist and a lead member of his own band Bobby Gregg and His Friends, he scored three Hot 100 singles: “Potato Peeler,” “The Jam – Part 1” and “The Jam – Part 2”. Gregg had also received recognition through his collaboration with Bob Dylan (“Like A Rolling Stone,” “House Of The Rising Sun,” “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” “She Belongs To Me,” “Love Minus Zero/No Limit,” “Outlaw Blues” “Bob Dylan’s 115th Dream,” “Maggie’s Farm,” “On The Road Again” – all album takes), Simon and Garfunkel (“Sounds Of Silence”), Peter, Paul and Mary (for their 1966 eponymous album), John Cale and Terry Riley (on their LP Church Of Anthrax).

Meet Bobby Gregg and His Friends

Bobby Gregg gained fame for the hits during the 60s music era: “Potato Peeler,” “The Jam – Part 1” and “The Jam – Part 2,” Robert “Bobby” Gregg was born on April 30, 1936 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Gregg was known as a drum soloist but he sometimes worked as a record producer as well. He soon became a band leader when he formed Bobby Gregg and His Friends in 1962.

In 1965, Gregg was also known for his drum duties for Bob Dylan, playing for eclectic tracks of the album Bringing It All Back Home such as “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” “She Belongs To Me,” “Love Minus Zero/No Limit,” “Outlaw Blues” and “Bob Dylan’s 115th Dream.” Later that year, Gregg once again worked for Dylan’s song “Like a Rolling Stone.”

The group’s hit singles

In 1962, Bobby Gregg and His Friends issued their first single for Cotton Records, the instrumental single “The Jam – Part 1,” b/w “The Jam – Part 2” which was also the group’s first and biggest single. It charted at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #14 on the R&B chart. Gregg came up with another instrumental called “Potato Peeler” which ranked at #89 on the pop chart. However, the song became popular for it was the first ever made with pinch harmonic guitar technique. It was also being compared to 1959’s The Book Peterson Quintet’s “The Hunch” because they sound like each other in some parts.

Bobby Gregg’s own work

Gregg got to work with the legendary folk singer Bob Dylan on his albums Bringing It All Back Home (the electric side of the record), some tracks of Highway 61 Revisited, and Blonde on Blonde, among others. Gregg also worked with Dylan’s backing band, the Hawks, on their tours. Gregg also did sessions with Simon and Garfunkel (including his notable work on “The Sound of Silence”), Peter, Paul and Mary, John Cale and Terry Riley.

Gregg passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 3, 2014. He was 78 years old.